LAS VEGAS — Silver State Equality, Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from State Director André Wade:
“Silver State Equality joins with other civil rights organizations throughout Nevada in calling on Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske to re-evaluate the implementation of a vote-by-mail-only option in the upcoming election. It is a severe understatement to say that nearly eliminating in-person voting — rather than providing safe and hygienic polling locations — is ill-conceived and may deny thousands of citizens their right to vote. The Secretary’s current plan would be devastating for Nevada voters of color, LGBTQ+ voters and other eligible voters in traditionally disenfranchised communities. “While the Secretary’s plan calls for vote-by-mail for all eligible Nevada voters, the plan does not require that officials review voter rolls for accuracy. This means an untold number of voters may not receive their ballots. The plan as proposed calls for only one in-person polling center per county, forcing thousands of Nevadans who choose to vote in person to gather in close proximity for hours-on-end in violation of CDC COVID-19 recommendations. “Our goal must be a safe, secure and fair election process that protects both public health and access to the polls for every eligible voter. We call on all officials who are serious about secure elections to address the problems that can arise with this plan that will ultimately prevent a fair election. These potential issues include eligible voters who don’t receive ballots; lack of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; lack of ballots in every conceivable language; among many others. Most importantly, it is imperative that we address providing accessible in-person voting options in safe and secure environments.”
“Silver State Equality joins with other civil rights organizations throughout Nevada in calling on Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske to re-evaluate the implementation of a vote-by-mail-only option in the upcoming election. It is a severe understatement to say that nearly eliminating in-person voting — rather than providing safe and hygienic polling locations — is ill-conceived and may deny thousands of citizens their right to vote. The Secretary’s current plan would be devastating for Nevada voters of color, LGBTQ+ voters and other eligible voters in traditionally disenfranchised communities.
“While the Secretary’s plan calls for vote-by-mail for all eligible Nevada voters, the plan does not require that officials review voter rolls for accuracy. This means an untold number of voters may not receive their ballots. The plan as proposed calls for only one in-person polling center per county, forcing thousands of Nevadans who choose to vote in person to gather in close proximity for hours-on-end in violation of CDC COVID-19 recommendations.
“Our goal must be a safe, secure and fair election process that protects both public health and access to the polls for every eligible voter. We call on all officials who are serious about secure elections to address the problems that can arise with this plan that will ultimately prevent a fair election. These potential issues include eligible voters who don’t receive ballots; lack of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; lack of ballots in every conceivable language; among many others. Most importantly, it is imperative that we address providing accessible in-person voting options in safe and secure environments.”
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
